My family was stuck in a rut of hamburgers, hot dogs, spaghetti and frozen food when I decided enough was enough. I started playing a game to create a different dish every night for a year. Well, almost 8 years later here we are and I am still committed to making different meals each night of the week for my family. Though the game has changed over the years from strictly no repeat meals to repeating our favorites once of twice a year. The kids have gotten more involved in the cooking AND the helping come up with new ideas.
I am a real mom with a real family and a busy life. I am NOT a trained chef or have any training other than my mom who was a cook. I cook old style, home cookin’, and semi-homemade meals.
My daughter dances 2-3 days a week and her studio is an hour away. We take dinner on the road with us those nights in divided dishes. Also, known in our house as “Dinners To-Go.” We do eat out but usually only about 1-2 times a month but we try to avoid drive thru and big chain fast food for local joints when we can. Many of my meals are slow cooker, one skillet or on the table from start to finish within an hour casseroles. I don’t like to fuss over everything and just want to make good tasting food that is from ingredients I know and my family will eat.
For the most part our recipes can be found with no cream of “anything” soups, prepackaged mixes or cans of pre-made chili, sauces, etc…. to a similar version with the ease of canned soups, mixes, and sauces. It is up to you to find what works for you! Some days canned goods are all I want to use and other days I am okay taking the extra time to make everything from scratch.
As we start our eighth year we are still going strong. We eat out far less than ever and still trying to get dinner on the table as inexpensively, quickly, and creatively as I can. My children have become fearless tasters and though they still have their likes and dislikes they are eating far more “exotic” foods than most children.
My blog has also become more about our life, travels, and just being a normal busy family. My food pictures are all taken as the food is served at the table, usually my plate. No special lighting, food moved with tweezers, or special coloring. I even use paper plates some nights! Gasp. But this is our real life and real food we made.
We love our life and try to live it as best as we can. These are our adventures…. In real life.
What's for Dinner Moms? 
Hi, I just nominated your blog for the Imagine Award! http://chaosandcookies.com/2014/01/24/the-imagine-award/ Participation is optional but I hope you can accept, I love your fun blog and great recipes!
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Thank you! I started this blog two years ago and wasn’t even sure people were sure what I was doing for my family by making different meals every week night for almost 2 years now. Again, thank you!
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Just so you know, I nominated you for the Liebster Award. http://pinkherald.com/2015/03/04/liebster-award-nomination/
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Nice site you have here. Thanks for following my blog!
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Wow, a different meal a day from scratch is quite an achievement, looking forward to seeing what you come up with! I notice that you love DisneyWorld too!!
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I have had to slow it down to weekdays only but I am still going. My kids are starting to ask for some repeats though. Disney is a passion!
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Thank you for following my blog!
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Your blog is inspiring. I nominated you for a Dragon’s Loyalty Award.
https://joannsfoodforthought.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/dragons-loyalty-award/
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Thank you for your recommendation.
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Hey Koolaidmom! Thanks for liking my blogpost! Follow/come back soon as I will yours! Light and Love, Shona
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Very interesting and yummy blog. Thanks for following my blog
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I nominated you for The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers award. Acceptance is optional of course but check out the link if you’re interested https://daisy9979.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
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Thank you so very much!
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Hi
Thank you so much for finding my blog and liking a post and for following me
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Hi I have nominated you for the blogger recognition award you can find all about here https://itsgoodtobecrazysometimes.wordpress.com/…/blogger-…/ Feel free to accept it or not, it’s up to you. Just a sign of my appreciation.
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Thank you for the recognition!
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Thank you very much for following me on my new blogging journey! It means a lot to have the support! Going to take a look at your blog as I believe seeing some yummy pictures of food!
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Hi there! I just wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
https://joannsfoodforthought.wordpress.com/2015/09/27/more-awards/
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Hi and thanks for dropping by at my blog! I love the idea behind your blog and it’s quite impressive you’ve managed to cook all those various dishes throughout three years. 🙂
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Thank you! Definitely fun and crazy, at times but the whole family has learned so much through this game.
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Just started following you. Like the look of your dishes 🙂
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Thank you!
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Thanks for liking Swiss Chard Pancake topped with Swiss Cheese. You’ve got yummy recipes yourself. Great that you’re eating more at home. I try to do the same thing!
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I am always looking for new and interesting dishes.
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Great. Please come back and look at my other concoctions you might like. Happiness is eating well!
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Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to reading yours. I also find the more I pay attention to the food I make I reach for those multi-ingredients cans and boxes much less. Supposedly this is good for our health and our planet.
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Can’t wait to try a recipe!
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Hope you find one you like!
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HI
I have nominated you for the Spirit Animal Blog Award, ifs voluntary but if you do want to join in, you can find the details here
https://itsgoodtobecrazysometimes.wordpress.com/2016/01/06/spirit-animal-blog-award/
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Thank you so very much!
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Most welcome 🙂
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Hi Koolaidmoms. I really like your blog. What a great idea. I struggle each day with trying not to cook the same thing over and over for my family. You have some awesome recipes up here. I can’t wait to try them.
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Thank you for your kind words. I struggle too with getting dinner on the table with a busy family life. I hope you find things you like and can change to suit your family. I just want everyone to find what works for them!
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Greetings from sunny Florida! Delighted to meet you through Lynz! I would like to invite you to check out a fairly recent web site I started for food bloggers worldwide. https://wegrazetogether.wordpress.com or you can thread through my main site https://clwiser.wordpress.com to the “Participating Food Blogs” Post. We would love to have you join us and you may see some blogs listed you know! Easy concept directly linking to your blog.
Have a great weekend. Cheryl
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I will definitely check this out!
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Wonderful!
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